pulled the trigger. thank you all so much for the advice. i got the savage 11 w/nikon bdc scope in .308. i decided 308 because i got invited to go on an elk hunting trip later this year. my main goal is still learning long range but figured hanging out with friends and hopefully putting meat in the freezer sounds like a good time. again thank you all. now i need some trigger time. if any of you like near Eugene Oregon id love to go out with people who know what they are doing (and where to go).